Crossing Taiwan from the extreme northern to the extreme southern tip through the jungle and mountains
I have a new project in mind: I want to cross Taiwan. More than 700km of hikes through the jungle and mountains (up to 3900m). Click below to get the lastest news about my position and pathway.
My first idea was to hike through the highest mountains and cross each national park ( Central Mountain Range -aka Chungyang Range- , 中央山脈).
But two main challenges made me change my mind. On the one hand, the need to book a mountain permit. Access to the national parks is limited to protect nature. One should therefore prepare his/her hike with specific dates and pathways. Eventually, I decided that I would rather keep some freedom about my speed and the path I want to follow. On the other hand, access to food is rather difficult on the high peaks. I would need to supply at least 10 days of reserve rations (if not more). I would also face some troubles with charging my phone (for the GPS/maps) and weather forecast (the typhoon season will start soon).
Therefore, I am doing this project in a different way that leaves me more freedom. Each day, I will plan ahead the next three days and update it every evening depending on the weather forecast, the need for electricity and food, my mood and wishes, with particular emphasis on avoiding roads , looking for the most natural spots and aiming south . Oh, and if possible at least 10kms a day and as high in the mountains as possible.
After several weeks of training in the Taiwannese jungle, in the high mountains, in the rain or under a blazing sun, learning about snakes and leeches, packing and unpacking my hiking backpack, setting up and packing up my tent, preparing a vegan hiking diet adjusted to the expected effort, I finally feel ready both physically and mentally. I leave Monday 13th of July from Fuguijiao (富貴角燈塔)
to hopefully reach the the extreme southern tip of Taïwan (台灣最南點)
a few weeks later hiking as far as possible from cities and roads. I share pictures and maps on this webpage below this post. Click on the button to display the summary of a specific day. I will update it once a week.
Cheers !
KM: 99.9 (TOT: 99.9)
After emotional goodbyes, I took the MRT and bus to Fuguijiao. I took a picture of my starting day at the northern tip of Taiwan and started my new life right after.
The journey to the south started with a long road. My skin was quickly damp with sweat. I entered the jungle in the late afternoon. I found a beautiful waterfall and faced a big (around 1 meter) and scary greyish snake. I then started to walk like an elephant to avoid another such meeting! I eventually found a good spot to set up the tent near water to wash myself, cook and drink.
KM: 10
I woke up with the sun and left for the highest point in the vicinity. The pathway was really hard to follow and at some point, I got stuck inside the huge vegetation. I thus went back down to the road (cf map above)
The hike I was looking for was closed due to landslide (see picture below). I had to get back on a road but finally reached another one also crossing Yangmingshan park
KM: 18
I filled my waterbottles with sulphurous water and started climbing the next peak.
I took a coffee break at the tourist center and started heading towards the closest city soon after to buy vegetables.
The day was very long and tough. Many trails were closed thus I had to walk on many roads. I reached Xizhi train station very late and started sleeping there until the train station closed. I then moved from benches to benches to escape mosquitoes. Today, I am taking a day off to update the website and enjoy Taiwananese vegan food.
KM: 21
Rest day with a motivation boost!
KM: 0
That night, I slept in the internet center (open 24). I woke up at around 3.30am and decided to leave. I first aimed for a pretty waterfall. I met a group of cool people at the top. I even tried to teach them how to set up a tent!
I took a short nap and entered a tough jungle (cf photo and video). Later, I slept like a bear between bamboos.
KM: 12.6
I woke up at 5.30. I fell asleep again. At around 8am, I was surrounded by taiwannese people harvesting around. I woke up for real and followed an awesome skyline. I then found a good spot for the night.
KM: 14.3
I woke up with stairs to climb. I reached Taipei in the afternoon and took an internet break. Mental boost party!
2 next days easy, I stay in Taipei moving south slowly until Wednesday. It feels weird to be so close to my home but not going in. But that's the project. Go south or go home! Hopefully, I got wonderful support!
KM: 24
KM: 72 (TOT: 171.9)
After a lovely evening and morning, I left Taipei at around 2pm. I climbed into the jungle but quickly got back to the road. I followed the river for a long while under a scorching sun. I finally reached a tiny city. I ate there but could not find any place to set up the tent so I decided to move forward.
It was late and dark, I was dirty, sweaty and still looking for a place to sleep. A scooter stopped next to me as I was walking and a young taiwanese asked me if I needed help or if she could drop me somewhere. After explaining my situation, she suggested me to keep walking until a trail entrance not too far from there. I reached that point quite late. There was a temple nearby, a few dogs ran after me and barked at me. A woman came out and I asked if I could set up my tent and use the faucet to wash myself. Keyi, she said (you can). I fell asleep while the dogs were still barking.
KM: 21
I slept very well. I started hiking quite early up to the top.
I reached a temple at around 12. I took a break. the gardian came to me and we started talking together. She gave me a short and fun chinese class. I ate and left right after. There was thunder in the air, with lightning flashing around. I was on the skyline when it started to be very rainy and scary. I went down back to a road until a tiny city where I slept like a bear after washing my clothe and myself.
KM: 15
I was wondering if I should move to the East coast and the high mountains directly but eventually decided to stay on the West coast a bit more. I followed the Shimen reservoir and entered the jungle again. I reached the city of Guanxi in the late afternoon and took a little break there.
KM: 21
Break in Guanxy that day. Juliette arrived in the late afternoon to cheer me up. We had a wonderful evening and fell asleep nearby the river.
KM: 0
We woke up early and enjoyed a breakfast downtown. Juliette walked with me today. I rediscovered her wild side!
Time to say bye. We will see each other again in a few weeks. I can't wait! In the meantime, I am still in the internet cafe and it's getting late... Will I sleep there or go set up the tent?
KM: 15
KM: 133.6 (TOT: 305.5)
I woke up early and went back to the internet cafe a few hours. At around noon, I started walking again toward Beipu. The road was a bit steep but the journey was smooth.
Beipu was empty with many closed shops. I wondered if it was because of the Covid ou because it was Monday. I ordered a vegan fried rice. It was delicious thus I asked for a second one. I was misinterpreted and the cooker came back with two more dishes! Nevermind haha, I ate three times too much but it was very tasty! I then climbed up to find a place to sleep.
KM: 10
I crossed Beipu and reached the begining of a trail. It started raining quite a lot so I postponed the trail to the next day and spent the afternoon on a large esplanade full of temples (near Wuzhishan)
KM: 12
The trail was great and easy to follow though quite steep. On my way down after reaching a road, a car stopped next to me and two local residents asked to drive me down. I refused with slightly bitter smile.
Once in the valley, I needed to climb up to the waterlilies lake. Someone offered to drive me up. No, thanks, I will walk in this sweet rain instead! Once at the lake, the village was empty. Too bad for the coffee I was dreaming about. I found a place to sleep near a temple. While I was setting up the tent, a group of dogs ran after me, barking and excited to have found an easy prey. I was happy to have my walking sticks with me so that I could wipe the road in front of me to keep them at bay. A woman left her home after a little while (enough for me to start sweating from fear) and started yelling at them. The dogs went quiet in no time. What charisma!
KM: 17
While I was packing up the tent, the dogs were staring at me in a menacing fashion. But I stood upright recklessy like a Don Quixotte. I knew I had my protector nearby! I started walking again with enthousiasm. The trail was very pretty but I got lost many times. It was very steep but it was a skyline and above 1000 meters so a slight wind very refreshing was blowing. Nice surprise: I reached a trail that Juliette and I have already hiked last year. I spent the night there and fell asleep dreaming of that hike.
KM: 9.6
I climbed up to the top. I knew that trail so I walked fast.
I crossed a huge bridge and reached a road. I did a washing break and took a nap in the sun before getting back on the road.
I took a coffee break at the 7-11 and took time to plan the following. I could reach the East part but I need to cross a national park and thus ask for a permit, or walk only on roads. Anyway, it would take me many days and getting food supply would be tough. Also, once on the highest montains of Taiwan, I would need a month to reach the end of the chain given my speed. To be honest, I am dreaming about computers those days. Therefore, I opted for finding an internet cafe instead. I looked on the map, the closest one is at 43kms if I take the trails. The shortest path would be to take the roads, it would then be 39kms. I could do that in two days. Or, I could walk a bit tonight and do an 'almost' marathon walking. I would then be in the internet cafe the next day. I decided to give it a try.
KM: 18
I woke up slowly and started my walking marathon. On the way, a biker stopped and gave me two taiwannese pears very sweet and juicy: a perfect surprise! I took a break at 2pm because it started raining quite a lot. At around 3pm, I started walking again painfully. It was still raining but the idea of geeking that night was cheering me up! A dozen of kilometers before the internet cafe, I was very thirsty and didn't have any water left. I had already eaten all my fruits, my feet were very sore, and I was completely wet. I then looked up and saw a biker, Pei Hsiu, waiting for me and handing me a bottle of water. In Taiwan, I have the feeling that my wishes are granted before I actually wish them!
I reached the city quite late and very tired. Sad surprise: the internet cafe was permanently closed. To boost my motivation, I looked up for a plan B. Taichung is 18 kms away and the internet cafes overthere must be open. I decided to reach Taichung the next day, after a walking marathon, 18 kms should be fine, right? I would take an hostel to heal the blisters under my feet and rest a bit. I found a park and pitched the tent in the dark while fighting off mosquitos. The night was quite smooth except for that drunk dude who aggressively wanted me to spend a night at his place for 1000 NTD (around 30 euros). I had to get out of the tent and insist for him to leave me alone. He eventually left zigzagging with his bike.
KM: 39
Walking again was burning. I took a breaskfast and the owner offered me delicious taiwannese pears. I reached the city limping and exhausted. I still had to walk 10kms to reach the hostel, I decided to cheat a bit:
I eventually reached the hostel. I washed my clothe and me, and met up with Pei Hsiu with whom I kept in touch. We spent the late afternoon together and I finally moved toward my Grail: the internet cafe. Once in front of it, I could see that it was also permanently closed. I started to be anxious. Pei Hsiu dropped me at another addess. This one was open, what a relief! I spent the next day there.
KM:28
KM: 63 (TOT: 368.5)
I spent the day geeking and updating the website. It's raining a lot anyway, good day to stare at the computer screen! I had diner with Pei and spent the evening with him. I then enjoyed a second and last comfortable night in the hostel .
KM: 0
Tuesday morning, I slept a bit late and enjoyed internet until noon. I left in the early afternoon. There is no trail in the surroundings so I must keep walking on the road. I will try to reach Alishan or Yushan as soon as possible. Later in the evening, I found a basketball field with toilets and electrical outlet, perfect place to set up the tent.
KM: 13
It was early in the morning and I was already surrounded by Taiwanese people exercising. Back on the road in no time, I quickly found a tiny city with an internet cafe. This cafe offers areas with big TV screen and couch to watch movies for a small price. I chose two lengthy movies (lord of the rings I & II) and slept there from 11pm to 5.30am. I woke up when Gollum was burning with his precious.
KM: 18
I didn't sleep very well. The couch was smelling like beer and it was quite warm and loud all night long (video game players yelling at their virtual opponents). The tent is actually quite comfy afterall. Anyway, I will take a nap later. I bought new soles for my walking shoes, as they had holes in them. I reached a pretty place in the early afternoon. I took a nap and spent the afternoon there resting and reading. I then spent a very nice near a lake and mountains.
KM: 20
Juliette is coming tonight. We will spend a few days together. I just have to walk a few kilometers to reach our meeting point. I took some time to visit Jiji city and then Shueli. I found a cheap hotel and wait for Juliette.
KM: 12
The three following days, it's rest, visit and fun with Juliette.
KM: 0
**Crossing from West to East**
KM: 81.5 (TOT: 450)
I asked for a permit to hike the Batongguan Japanese Era Crossing Trail crossing Taiwan from West to East from Dongpu to Yuli through the highest mountain of Taiwan (Yushan: 3952m). I got it!
Juliette was about to go back to her life in Taipei that day. We spent a lazy enjoyable morning. The beginning of the trail was 40kms away from Shueli on a monotonous road (though with a pretty view all the way long). I am afraid to reach the trail entrance very tired, and this trail is famous to be potentially dangerous. Therefore, I decided to take the bus and to save me from these 40kms. I said bye to Juliette. We will meet again soon. Let's go!
KM: 1.5
I reached Dongpu in no time. I went to the police office to validate my permit and asked if I could sleep there. Nope. I thus decided to start the trail a bit, directly. There is a temple a bit further up. Once at the temple, I was warmly welcome. People even gave me guavas, delicious but adding weight to my bag...
The trail was relatively easy and perfectly groomed. I was very happy with this unexpected ease.
Furthermore, it was a sunny day and I felt great! I reached the shelter on the early afternoon. It started to be cloudy. I decided to keep walking anyway. That time, I quitted the well groomed Japanese trail for a steep slope and wild trail. I reached a place next to a tiny river to set up the tent exactly when it started raining. I then spent the evening doing laundry, body washing party, diner, reading and sleeping. I woke up several times that night because it was quite cold at 3000m. Quite a change from the jungle! At least, when it was not raining, I could see the stars. I could see so many there, it was very pretty.
KM: 15
The trail winds steeply up to the top.
I was looking at Yushan, the highest peak of Taiwan. I was thinking back to my first trial to hike it almost a year ago. At around 3750m, I got altitude sickness (nausea and severe headache) and had to head back down. Since then, the desire of reaching Yushan's peak became even stronger.
I checked my food supply. I could hike Yushan's peak if I don't eat too much and if I walk fast. But it's a major detour, with big vertical drops, and I would be out of the permit time limit. Eventually, I decided not to hike it this time. But I will later! Thus I stayed on the Batongguan Japanese Era Crossing Trail as expected.
I went down from the mountain's peak to reach the well traced trail again. The route up to the next summit was quite steep and pretty, passing trough rainforests over streams up to the shelter I was aiming for: A wonderful place to sleep.
I was happy to sleep in a shelter since the night was quite cold. During the night, I went out to pee and what a surprise to see that the clouds disappeared replaced by stars and shooting stars (we are mid August). I think I've never seen so many. This shelter was indeed quite far from city lights thus I could see more stars than usual.
KM: 13
The sun woke me up and I discovered the place in a different light even more beautiful.
However, a sign indicated that the trail was closed due to landslides. My permit was accepted so I thought it must be an old one. I started to hike the trail a bit anxious anyway.
I quickly reached Tuomasih where I planned to sleep. I decided to keep going up to the next shelter Dafen. I met a pretty snake on the trail. It moved before I could take a nice picture but you can see its tail.
I reached Dafen late in the afternoon. I was not alone, I spent the evening with a few taiwanese people hiking part of the trail in the other direction. The Dafen shelter is so classy that it got a shower!
KM: 19
The trail began with a 3 hours climb. Hiking from 1250m to 2100m and then descended gently down a sloping hill up to Baoyat shelter where I planned to spend the night.
I reached Baoyat at noon. I ate a bit and decided to move forward. I was done with 11kms so I could do 13 more to reach Walami shelter. I thought that if it would be too hard, I could set the tent up anyway.
The trail was gently descending. The last few kilometers burned my feet. I finally reached the shelter: it was full of people. No more space for me inside or even on the tent area. I was forced to continue. I kept walking up to Jiashin, 4kms from the trail entrance. I decided to stop there instead of reaching the trail entrance because I was not sure there would be water overthere and it started to be dark. I met local people working in the area. They offered me to try a local whisky. I said I was feeling like a tea for now. It was not a good excuse. I went sleeping after three glasses of three different bottles of local whiskies, dizzy and happy! I reached the East, wohoo!
KM: 33
KM: 82 (TOT: 532)
I started walking toward a city with an internet cafe for a well deserved little break. Taitung : 90kms from my current location. I could maybe reach it quickly. But first, electricity to charge my phone, and coffee. I spent a few hours in Dongli drawing fresh strength and then started walking toward Taitung.
I reached the tiny city of Fuli later that day. There is a tiny park next to the train station. I asked if I could spend the night there. I met Michelle Lin whom just openned her cafe-bar. We spent the evening together. She offered me a shower and a laundry at her place. She even brought me diner.
We then enjoyed a beer and planned to share a coffee the next morning.
KM: 34
Michelle told me about the Taitung International Balloon Festival which is happening in Luye, 40kms from Fuli in the direction of Taitung. I thought that I could maybe make it in two days. After exchanging our Line ID and sharing a coffee together with Michelle (who came waking me up that morning with a breakfast!), I started aiming toward Luye. Just one thing, if one day, you are around Fuli, you should go try her special recipe in her Painting Cafe: The lemon coffee!
I walked under a heavy rain. I was quickly wet from head to toe! Hopefully, Taiwanese people along the road frequently honked at me, cheered me up and sometimes even stopped to give me food or something to drink.
Eventually, I did walk the 40kms. I reached the festival late that night. It's a tourist attraction so it is not allowed to set up the tent except in an expensive camping. There are cameras everywhere so I didn't dare to set the tent anyway. I found a bench and slept with mosquitoes but with a great view on the stars. My legs were sore after my second walking marathon but I was happy and feeling good!
KM: 40
Tourists and exhibitors arrived as soon as 4am. I woke up slowly while they were setting up their things.
I enjoyed the festival for a little while and started walking again. After 6kms under a scorching sun, I decided to cheat a bit for the last 15kms to reach Taitung. I made a tiny sign and gave a try to hitchhiking (with a mask on because Covid19 infections recently started again in Taiwan).
What a surprise to see a biker stopping by! I approached him and asked if it really was for me. Yep! Okay, let's go with my heavy bag, driving fast and crazily tilting when turning. He dropped me a bit before Taitung center. I walked 2kms and took a bus since my feet were too sore for me to walk. I looked for an internet cafe and a hostel and started to enjoy 2 days of rest!
KM: 8
** Final chapter **
KM: 84 (TOT: 616)
My feet were sore. I got blisters. I didn't want to walk anymore. My socks got holes in them. One of my underpants was frayed and would soon be unwearable. But I was soon reaching the south!
I felt like I should take one more day of rest but my desire to reach the south quickly was too big. Thus I left Taitung in the early afternoon and decided to walk slowly.
I walked in the city to avoid lengthening my trip (going next to the coast directly would add a dozen of kilometers). I expected to follow the East coast the next day so I could bear a bit of city roads. I took a shaved-ice break. Shaved-ice in Taiwan is a bowl of fruits covered with crushed ice. Vegan and refreshing dessert! I finally reached my sleeping spot. A great place with tap water and view on the ocean. There was a little shelter. A storm was coming. I chose to sleep out in the open and to look at the thunderstorm.
KM: 20
That morning, I was walking on the road but with a wonderful view on the Pacific ocean. I had set a goal to walk until the trail entrance at about 30kms from my location. After walking 10kms, I passed next to a truck that was parked on the side of the road. The driver called me: "Where are you going? This road is dangerous, come, I will drop you where you wanna go". It didn't take long for me to get on his truck.
He dropped me 10kms further where I would start crossing Taiwan from East to West. I started to go up on a winding road.
I finally reached the trail entrance. My feet were sore. I started to follow the trail a little bit. It was following a pretty river and crossed it quite frequently.
I took off my shoes regularily. I was hesitant to cross the river with my shoes on to save time and energy but I didn't want to have my shoes wet to hike the mountains the next day. The water was almost warm, I couldn't wait to take a swim. Soon, it started raining a bit. It was time to set up the tent. It started raining quite a lot when I finally found a flat place. The heavy rain surprised me and most of my stuff got wet. Nevermind, it would dry the next day. After establishing the camp, I went for a swim. The water level was rising because of the storm. I was wondering if I should set the tent a bit further but my lazyness decided that it was okay.
Night had come and I dug myself into the sleeping bag. I heard rockfalls around me. The surrounding mountains were slowly collapsing because of the river. I was first startling, jumping at the noise of each rockslide, until those sounds finally became routine. I also heard monkeys not far. Did I let some food outside? I was not sure. I was tired. I didn't care much. I felt asleep, pleasantly cradled by the rain hitting the tent.
KM: 20
It was not raining anymore but my clothes were still wet. Good news, this would allow me to cross the river with my shoes. It was a bit tough to walk on big stones but very beautiful.
I kept walking for 5 kms and eventually faced a rock wall:
I was first happy that I would have to climb. I started full of energy and confidence. After climbing half of the wall, I realized that it was not an easy trail. Reaching the three-quarters of the wall, I was wondering if I should give up. Some rocks would detach from the very steep slope and crash down. I felt scared. I was not far from the top. I decided to give up. I started to climb down but quickly changed my mind. I was close to the top, I could do it. I finally reached it, sweat on my brow.
I saw a trail flag on a tree. I was therefore indeed on the trail. The mountain was collapsing because of the water forming a V around it. The trail was also disappearing. I followed it for a little while. The ground collapsed from time to time. I was not entirely reassured. At some point, lacking balance, I grabbed a tree which I thought was firmly rooted but eventually was dead. The tree trunk broke, beating my head and making me lean dangerously to the side. Enough is enough. I decided to retrace my steps. I looked for an easy way to go down. Vertical walls everywhere. I needed to take the same path I took to climb up. I didn't want that. I took a break. I took time to think. I finally took a decision. I would climb down but without my bag. I rolled the fragile objects neatly into my clothes and my bag into my poncho. Good luck dear bag. I let my bag fall slowly off the slope. It quickly gained speed, continued its freefall jumping around, loosed my water bottle which in turn started its own freefall. They finally ended their trips almost at the end of the slope. I was hoping my descent to be smoother. I planned my descent. I needed to do two little detours to get back my water bottle and my bag. I started to climb down. Controlling my breath, going slowly but surely. I felt raindrop. I started to be anxious. I took a deep breath and started climbing down again. I gave myself quite a scare a few times but eventually reached my battered water bottle and my bag quickly after. I was almost there. Couldn't wait for the end!
Finally at the bottom, what a relief! I started hiking again with a good mood. It started raining a lot. The water level was rising. I felt the strong flow of the river when I was crossing it. I eventually reached the road by the end of the afternoon.
I reached the city where the driver dropped me the day before. There was no good spot for the tent. There was one 10 kms away but my feet and legs were sore. I offered myself a bit of cheat: I took the train and got off two stations later. I set up the tent. The rain stopped but the wind was strong. Perfect weather to dry all my stuff. I felt asleep weary after that long day.
KM: 31
I woke up happy with a wonderful view and a beautiful sunrise. All my stuff were dried!
Back on the road. Nevermind for crossing East to West. I started to feel like reaching the south, finishing this project and getting back to a normal life. There was still a long wild hike along the coast waiting for me. The trail entrance was 10 kms away. I started walking with sore feet and legs but the view was fantastic. I took a break at a bus stop. The bus came. I took it and got off one station later. I started walking again toward the trail entrance. A man parked his car next to me and started talking in Chinese. He was chewing betel nuts (the local tabacco which gives a red mouth). We didn't understand each other but I thought he wanted to drive me a bit. I got in his car. He started driving for 200 meters and parked... in the police station. I could feel that I was losing some patience. A police officer came out and they started talking together. The police officer made a phone call. A second officer came. They talked all together. The second officier called someone and handed me the phone. One of his friends whom spoke English. I explained her the situation. I handed back the phone. I waited while they were talking. The police officer looked at me and said byebye. He was gently asking me to leave. I left directly.
I think the guy just wanted to help me out and to drive me somewhere. But since we could not understand each other, he drove me to the police station thinking that they would help for the translation. Then the police officer called his friend thinking he would speak English. Then the second officer called his friend to help for the translation. Still, a bit like a Kafkaesque situation!
I started hiking again. I am now walking on a pebble beach. I started to enjoy hiking again despite the blisters
The trail turned into a dirt road. I crossed a small river. This time, I took off my shoes to avoid getting them wet. I saw a small hut with two men standing further on the trail. They looked like policemen. I kept walking until facing them. "You can't pass without authorization". I was a little stunned. Especially since that morning at the police station, they confirmed me that it was possible to cross. I tried negotiating. "You shall not pass". I gave up.
I checked the map. No choice but walking on the roads until the southernmost point. I was fed up. I started hitchhiking. A car stopped soon after. They dropped me next to the police station I was that morning. I kept a low profile, I didn't want to explain the situation one more time. I started hitchhiking again. A dude whom was eating in a nearby restaurant asked me about my destination. I told him the western part of the island. Soon after, he picked me up with his mini-van and drove me there. I could see the China see. I then took a bus toward the nearest scooter rental agency. I rented a scooter for 24 hours and drove south. I parked the scooter 500 meters away from the southernmost tip of Taiwan. I walked slowly to the end of my project. While walking, I remembered the whole trip, each night, each trail, each mountain, each person I met. I wondered what I have learned. I wondered what would come next. I saw people around me surprised to see me with such a big backpack. I was now seeing the ocean. Only a few meters left...
KM: 13
Et voilà. After a month and a half, more than 600 kilometers through jungle, mountains and roads, I reached the south! Juliette sent me a package with clean clothes and comfy shoes. What a great idea! I threw away my underwear frayed around the edges and my destroyed socks. I put the old clothes in my bag. I could smell that my handwashing was not as efficient as a machine washing. I grabbed a drink, I raised my glass in a toast to Taiwan and fell asleep with a head full of memories.
The next day morning, I visited the surroundings.
Now, it's time to get back to Taipei and start a new life style: The van life!
Here is what I got for my trip. The picture is missing a 1L5 water bottle that I lost on the scooter, my hat and food.
Contents of the waterproof blue pouch: phone, charger, powerbank (for one charge), headlamp, tissue, plastic bag (to protect the phone that I usually kept on my pocket to have a quick access to the GPS), notebook + pen, small plastic bag with ID, driving license, money, credit card, mask.
Contents of the first-aid kit: disinfectant, compresses, tissues.
Contents of the hiking bag : blue pouch, first-aid kit, 2 books in a waterproof pouch, 2 underpants, 2 pairs of socks, 1 trouser with zip off legs, a shirt, a watch, a long-sleeved fleece shirt, a fleece windproof jacket, all clothes are in a waterproof pouch, a towel, a poncho, a pair of walking shoes, a water filter, sunscreen, a stove + pan + bowl + cup + knife + spoon + lighter, a tent, a sleeping bag (5 degrees), a floor mat (upper body), a bag (the red one) for food, a small water bottle (hung in front of the bag for a quick access without having to take off the bag), a 1L5 water bottle, a blue IKEA bag (to keep everything dry if the hiking bag gets wet), 2 walking sticks, soap + toothbrush + toothpaste.
I strongly recommend making a small bottle hanger in front of the bag to avoid having to take off the bag for a water break. It also helps to control water consumption. I also recommend not to bring more than 2 pairs of underpants/socks and 2 tops. This choice indeed implies to wash them every night so you must find water. Sometimes, things won't be dry in the morning, but you would be soaked in sweat in half an hour anyway. I didn't lack anything and I think everything I brought was useful. I didn't weight my bag but I would say 15/16kgs max including food and water.